JOIN USWhenever there is a mention of ghazals, two names come to one’s mind — late Jagjit Singh and maestro Pankaj Udhas. So when Pankaj Udhas took the stage in the City recently to perform, one was assured that it would be a soulful evening.
Many of the singer’s fans turned up for the show, titled ‘Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas — Live In Concert’, which happened at the Good Shepherd Auditorium. The show was organised by Aaryan Foundation which works towards the upliftment of rural, underprivileged children and other social causes.
After a formal inauguration, Pankaj Udhas was called on stage and felicitated. “It’s an honour to sing for a good cause,” he said. “This evening, I will play both mine and your favourite songs,” he smiled.
He started the evening with a song written by Kashif Zaidi called Deewaron Se Milkar Rona Accha Lagta Hai. “I had recorded this song in 1980 and I am sure you will like it,” he said. The song was melodic and melancholic with some beautiful strains of tabla in between.
As he started humming the next song, there was a huge cheer from the crowd. That’s because he was all set to render one of his most popular songs — Aur Aahista Keejiye Baatein. As he sang the song slowly and beautifully, the audience listened in rapt attention and was left asking for more. The singer even displayed his good sense of humour as the audience started requesting for songs.
When someone asked him to song Chhitti Aayi Hai, the singer politely said, “Chhitti ab bhi aa rahi hai (The letter is still coming)!” Then a sheet of paper was passed to the audience asking them for their requests. The singer then rendered a song, based on the 21st century called Ek Woh Bhi Tha Zamaana, Ek Yeh Bhi Hai Zamaana. It spoke about the progress made by the human race but also touched upon the serious issue of what will happen to the future generations that may be affected by this progress.
Jokingly, he dedicated the next song to one of his close friends in Bangalore. Titled Sabko Maloom Hai Main Sharabi Nahi Hoon, he said, “Yesterday only, my friend told me he has quit drinking!”
During the second half of the show, Pankaj took up requests from the audience as promised. He rendered songs like Ghungroo Toot Gaye, Niklo Na Benaqab and everyone’s all-time favourite Chhitti Aayee Hai. The audience couldn’t have asked for more. Said Achintu Sen, a businessman who was present at the event, “It was a fantastic show. I enjoyed the entire evening, especially the second half during which he sang all the requests of the people.”